“So it was always clear that Gini would be in the mix for that position. He can play both.

"He was brilliant in pre-season as the eight. He was good as the six but brilliant as the eight.

“That's why we never had any doubts about that. They all have different characteristics in that role.

“But if we don't defend as a team neither Hendo, Fabinho or Gini can play the role very well because the space is just too big.

“It's not possible. If we defend well, then it is all fine. Gini is a good footballer, the other two are as well.

GETTY

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was a stand-out performer against Brighton

"It is only important that you have this kind of mindset that you can cool yourself down in different situations, that you don't follow the ball or offer runs in behind when we have enough players to do that.

“We need a few reasonable persons on the pitch, if you want, and Gini can switch from one mindset to the other and that is pretty good for us."

Wijnaldum joined Liverpool from Newcastle back in 2016 for an initial £23m, with the 27-year-old going on to make 94 appearances across all competitions.